Tiny South Pacific island to accept Star Wars coins as real money

The tiny South Pacific nation of Niue will soon be accepting Star Wars coins as legal tender.

But don't count on anyone using them to buy a snack on the island (population: 1,311), which is linked to nearby New Zealand and recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as its sovereign.

Each coin will be minted with a fully colored image of Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO or other famous face from the Star Wars universe on one side, with a mug of Queen Elizabeth on the other, according to the New Zealand Mint.

Coins with a $2 face value in New Zealand dollars (that converts to about $1.60 in the U.S.) will be made of one ounce of pure silver to be sold in sets of four in specially designed cases shaped like Darth Vader's head or the Millennium Falcon ship. Each retails for $469 (about $385 USD).

Individual coins plated in silver will be sold for $23.50 (or $19.30 USD). Each will have a face value of $1 (about 80 cents in USD). Getprev

"This first series is a limited mintage and are quite simply out of this Universe," the sales website said. "Don't deny the Force within you."

Collectors all around the world can buy the coins, but only people on the island of Niue, known as "the Rock," will be able to use it as real cash